Scraping Frost to Sweating Bullets

[mrdreamjeans]

The trip to Bountiful (aka Minneapolis) is over. I’ve returned home full of ambitions for the upcoming months, admonishments to myself do better with Dad and admiration (if not outright adoration) for my Twin Cities and Madison friends.

Travel Tips and Observations - If you’re on a road trip and making reservations only a couple of hours in advance and on a budget, the best way to get a good hotel rate is to pick up one of those throw-away papers at a rest stop. Call ahead, tell them you have a coupon and make the reservation. I use La Quinta a lot and this method got me a much better price on a room than calling the LQ Rewards line or making the reservation on the internet. I was never quite sure where I would land for the evening; this method provided me with the most travel flexibility.

A hostess tip: When I come into your restaurant, don’t say .. “Just one?” or “How many in your party?” There is one of me and I’m not to be pitied. Just say hello and get me a table with some light so I can read. (Notice I have a book in my hand and there is no one else with me.) I like the quiet time.

Do you ever look at other drivers as you pass them or they pass you? Do you try to see what the truckers look like? Well, I can tell you that for most of my trip. the faces behind the wheel were plug ugly. No hirsute scenery worth woofing over. Some people have been skinny-dipping in the shallow end of the gene pool with their cousins; more and more results are driving :)

Stats - Temperature when I left Madison on Tuesday morning (after scraping frost off of the windows) - 27 degrees F. Temperature when I arrived home in Brenham yesterday at 4:30pm - 89 degrees F.

Final Trip Odometer Reading - 3,078 miles between October 10 - October 25.

A Surprise! - I stopped for lunch yesterday in Dallas at the Blackeyed Pea on Cedar Springs. At 12:30pm each day they do a random drawing for a free lunch. My table won. I had my chicken tenders, smashed potatoes, glazed carrots, apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream for free! It only cost me a $3 tip. YAY! (The savings were certainly welcome at the end of two weeks on the road:)

Thanks to everyone for their words of support, their kindness and affection. You made this journey a memorable one. I’ve made some decisions (besides singing to Sirius for 3000 miles). Stay tuned ....

Comments

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you made it back home safely. That is NOT a drive I'd want to do on my own!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tim! I was sleepy the whole way back ... someone to chat with as I drove would have been nice. HUGS!

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

What kind of vehicle did you drive on this trip? I hope it was comfortable. I love my little Chevy Prizm for the great milage it gets, but I have to admit that for a big guy like me, it's not exactly the most comfortable car for long trips, and I'll usually take cushions or blankets that can make sitting more comfortable.

You're right about truck drivers. Most of them aren't worth a look.

But SOME of them are. SO I KEEP LOOKING! [:o)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I keep looking ... I keep looking ... :)

As to my vehicle ... I have a 2007 Dodge Caliber. It replaces the Neon in the Chrysler lineup. It's a crossover between car and SUV and has a lot of nice touches. I was very comfortable the entire trip; it got great gas mileage. I would recommend that anyone looking for a new economical car, check it out.

HUGS!

[mh58.livejournal.com]

Yay for free food! How is the Caliber doing? I passed one yesterday and immediately thought of you.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The Caliber ran great! It was comfortable, had lots of pick up and exceeded its gas mileage ratings. Plus, whenever I'd leave the car for a few minutes and return, people would ask me about it or be circling it. The roange color definitely has a WOW factor.

[elfkat.livejournal.com]

Glad you are home safe.

Hugs!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Kat ...

Interesting ... When I left Minneapolis, it felt like I was leaving home ...

Texas doesn't feel like home ... just a place where my family and a few friends live.

Big HUGS!

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

“Just one?”

That is soooo me! I enjoy reading while out at dinner alone. I so hate it when they treat you differently because you're alone or don't pay attention to you because they think you're content reading. If I have to ask for my bill they don't get a tip.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I like eating alone and reading, so just be prompt and friendly and offer me competent service.

HUGS!

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

I'm a big reader at restaurants when I'm alone. I try to have a book hand if I'm going our alone, just so I can while a tille time away. I even do this at the cafeteria at work. I guess I never let the "just one" thing bother me much.

If I don't have a book on me, I'll often stop at a Whataburger as they often have a newspaper out.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I don't usually let it bother me, but on the trip home I ate at a couple of places where their was a bit of cut to the question. Sometimes, I just answer ... This one is enough ... or do you have a couple of spare people in the back? :)

If I'm alone, I always read ...

Have you voted yet?

HUGS!

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Yep. I voted on Sunday. I was suprised that the polls were open that day. they never were in Montgomery County. Dallas has a lot of bonds on the ballot this year, so the ballot was long.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the hostess tips ... when I travel it's often alone, and the book or magazine at dinner is a frequent companion. As I've gotten older I've become more sensitive to the way I'm treated at dining places.

Good to hear you're home safe and in a determined, upbeat mood.
Looking forward to hearing about the next turns in your road. HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You will, my friend, you will ....

I thought we were treated well at dinner on Monday night ... considering we were so raucous:) Good service!

HUGS!

[apparentparadox]

While I agree that "Just one" sounds a bit off, asking how many in your party seems like the right question. You might be the first one to arrive and the rest will be coming a bit later.

I'm glad that you got the break from stress around the house, and hopefully can keep some of those good feelings now that you're back.

I've been in DC for 3 weeks doing some baby-sitting duties with my nieces. I'm so ready to go home. Only two more days for me then back to CA. I can hardly wait!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

WOw! You're a hero! Three weeks babysitting. I'm impressed! :)

I am working to hold on to the good feelings. Dad isn't making it easy, but so far so good.

You make a good point about the question, "How many" I only get irked when I've already told them how many; it's like the fast food question "Is this for here or to go?" I always tell them upfront ... in seconds they will ask the question, never having listened to what I said:)

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It did clear my head ... gave me lots of opportunity for uninterrupted thought ... plus, I had the bonus of friends who embraced me, gave me hugs, laughed with me ... let me feel again like I was a good person to have around. I needed that.

Big HUGS!

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

I couldn't have joined you yesterday in Dallas for lunch even if I'd known, but being at the table with the free lunch sounds like a great idea! LOL I'm so glad to hear you've had a good, relaxing break. I am probably going to drive to Omaha rather than fly when I go soon to visit my newest grandson Grant and 23 years' worth of friends. Hugs!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I didn't know exactly when I would be passing through Dallas, so I just stopped for lunch briefly and kept going. The table where I won the free lunch was the exact table we ate at when we met. I was sitting where you sat. Thanks for the good luck!!!! :)

Have fun in Omaha!!! Big HUGS!

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

:) You're sweet!